Suspected mugger caught using Facebook

A 21-year-old man accused of robbing a University of Illinois student 2 months ago appeared before a Champaign County Judge Tuesday in answer to charges filed a week ago in connection with the mugging.

The man is accused of stealing the student’s cell phone as well as cash. According to the student, this happened in a parking lot at the corner of Third Street and Gregory Drive.

Police were able to find the suspect after he took a photo of himself with the stolen cellphone, which was set to automatically upload photos to Facebook. The student noticed the picture and gave it to authorities, who circulated it to obtain an identification.

The man is being held on $50,000 bond and is expected to return to court in June. If convicted, he faces up to seven years in prison.